Sarah Ferguson chased $1m cruise deal while asking Epstein for cash | UK | News
Newly revealed Jeffrey Epstein files reveal the Duchess of York was after a lucrative Cunard deal in 2009 while leaning on the sex offender for emergency cash.
Ferguson approached the cruise operator hoping to strike a deal that he believed would earn him a quarter of a million dollars per cruise, with four sailings a year potentially worth $1 million.
The push for a commercial partnership coincided with a demand for £20,000 from Epstein to settle outstanding rent bills.
Broker worked to broker cruise arrangement
David Stern, from royal circles, acted as an intermediary between Ferguson and the disgraced financier and approached Cunard on behalf of the Duchess on several occasions.
The trucking company’s leadership appeared to be at a standstill when Stern contacted him in September 2009, at a time when newspapers were publishing regular reports about Ferguson’s financial situation.
Cunard’s then-chief Peter Shanks took until the end of October to respond, writing that he “enjoyed meeting” Ms Ferguson but that the firm did not operate on a paid endorsement model.
Shanks explained that Cunard’s practice includes bringing “Insight Speakers” on its cruises, but compensation is limited to accommodation and transportation rather than cash payments.
Confusion arose over payment expectations
An October 26 email from Stern to Epstein summarized the conflicting statements: “F. stated that Cunard Line asked him to travel on cruises, used this as endorsements, and paid him $250k per cruise, 4 cruises/year = $1 million.”
But he added: “The Cunard President says something completely different as follows.”
According to the Daily Mail, Shanks’ full response to Stern makes it clear that there is no concrete offer for Ferguson.
“I think the challenge is that our modus operandi is to provide quarters and any travel arrangements, but we do not offer any compensation for our Insight Speakers,” he said in his email.
Mr Shanks, now retired, added: “As I mentioned when we met with the Duchess, if we could find a third party… then it would be a huge opportunity as they would be able to provide the necessary funding.
“Of course, the trick in the current market is to find such a third-party benefactor.”
Cunard operates luxury ships on world cruises, stopping at ports in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
A spokesperson for Cunard told the Mail: “Our former Chairman and Managing Director accurately reflected Cunard’s position in 2009 and no commercial opportunities have been created for Sarah Ferguson, either then or since.”
Deal talks come after desperate rent objection
Ferguson’s search for a cruise partnership came shortly after he contacted Epstein with an urgent message saying he “urgently needs £20,000 today”.
Correspondence shows that the Duchess routinely turned to the convicted pedophile for financial guidance and loans; which conflicts with her public persona as a successful businesswoman and philanthropist.
He has publicly admitted accepting £15,000 from Epstein to settle his debts, but released files point to much larger borrowings.
January 2010 cables show Ferguson demanding up to $100,000 for “small bills” while Epstein remained under house arrest for sexual abuse of his child.
A separate cable reveals that the late billionaire, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, told acquaintances that he had been a financial backer of Ferguson for fifteen years.
Several major charities cut ties with Ferguson last year after emails released in September showed his ongoing relationship with the late sex offender.
In April 2011, correspondence was seized in which Ferguson described Epstein as a “committed, generous and sublime friend” and “humbly apologized” for publicly disavowing him under pressure.
A representative said at the time that Ferguson took action after a “chilling” phone threat from Epstein about legal action.
Sarah Ferguson’s representative was invited to comment via email.
